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If the camera is within warranty, return it to where you bought it. Common fault with a few different brands, to do with a lens open sensor within the lens assembly itself. Maybe allow the camera to dischage without the battery for a few hours and see does it power on with a new battery. Also chack the battery, if it has bubbled it a dud, and check the battery contacts within the battery compartment.

Lens errors are fairly common. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended ...Here are some troubleshooting steps that you can try that may (or may not) correct it. They only seem to work for less than 40% of the lens errors, but if the camera is out of warranty (or repair cost approaches that of the camera), they're worth that try. Some of the later steps do involve some risk to the camera, so carefully weigh your options before deciding to conduct them:

This kind of problem occurs if camera dropped on floor that broke lens mechanism OR lens mechanism got dust particles that make it stuck.Usually lens mechanism needs to be replaced to solve the issue, however, user level try to solve the problem is to tap camera on your palm a few time gently that may release stuck lens mechanism and it start working again, if that does not help then lens assembly will be replaced.Thanks.

This is a common problem with TZ3s. Power the camera on, then puff a little graphite onto the lens cover and coax it open with a tooth pic. Do this, powering the camera on/off till lens opens normally. Add little more graphite if necessary, but sparingly.

Graphite is used because it is extremely slippery, but will not attract dust like an oil will. At the same time, it is black! so you don't want to use anymore than absolutely necessary make lens work. Even then, check to be sure lens itself is clean after, and wipe carefully with an Eyeglass lens cloth only if necessary.

Another option in to remove the lens cover altogether by just pulling the leafs out of the camera. Another option is to sell your working but lens cover problem to a repairman on ebay, and buy a good TZ3 or TZ5 on ebay used, refurbished or new. Good prices if you bide your time.

Don't put in your best bid to the very last minute of the auction. In the mean time, put a camera you are interested in on your MyEbay Watch list and set a reminder alarm on your cell phone about 5 minutes before the auction is to close, then if the price is still good, enter your best bid 30 seconds before the end of the auction. Refresh the auction page on your PC to keep track of the bidding right up to the last 30 minutes so you can see the last remain bid and if it is worth outbidding on this camera. Again, if you are not in a hurry and bide your time, you can get a great buy. There are plenty of these cameras sold every day.